A MAN who stabbed a total stranger to death with a 'fantasy weapon' outside a Middlewich pub has been jailed for 12 years.

Gerard McKeown, 27, of Dene Drive in Winsford, was given the mandatory life sentence for murder by a Chester Crown Court judge on Wednesday after stabbing and slashing Gavin McAleer, also 27, 16 times in a brawl outside the Vaults pub on Wheelock Street last September.

Friends struggled to keep Mr McAleer alive until paramedics arrived, but despite their efforts he was pronounced dead on arrival at Leighton Hospital. Floral tributes were left at the pub by devastated family and friends.

McKeown had surprised the court the previous day with a last minute guilty plea - a move which Justice Charles Gray said entitled him to 'limited credit' when sentencing.

The court had already heard that McKeown, originally from Liverpool, believed he had been victimised by Mr McAleer, of Longmoss Close, and his friends for 'being a Scouser'.

The judge accepted that he had not arrived at the pub with the intention to cause trouble.

Summing-up the murder before sentencing, Justice Gray said: 'Gavin McAleer was drinking with friends at the Vaults, where Gerard McK-eown - a man unknown to Mr McAleer - was also drinking with his girlfriend.

'Gerard McKeown felt he was being stared at and picked on, as a Liverpudlian. Towards the end of the night the deceased and his friends left the pub and when Gerard McKeown left he was confronted by the group.

'It may well be that Gavin McAleer struck the first blow during the fight, but both men repeatedly struck one another about the head with their fists. A forensic examination taken after the incident showed Mr McAleer had fractured bones in his hands - an indication that he had punched Gerard McKeown with some force.

'Mr McAleer's friends also punched and kicked Gerard McKeown, and he felt he was having the worst of it. Overcome by the number of blows and his perception of the number of people around him McKeown used a knife as a last resort - which is when what possibly began as a reasonable use of force became unreasonable.

'He wielded the double-bladed cent-rally-handled knife and inflected 16 stab and slash wounds on Mr McAleer, including one which pierced his heart - a wound which caused massive bleeding.'

McKeown was arrested within hours of the murder. He initially denied the offence and refused to answer further police questions.

Sentencing McKeown, Justice Gray said: 'There is only one sentence the law allows for murder - a mandatory life sentence. But when deciding the appropriate length of that sentence I must take a number of factors into account. First, a young life has been taken by what you did and Mr McAleer's mother has told us about his achievements and ambitions. But I accept that the seriousness of this crime is not high enough to justify a 30-year sentence and a sentence of 15 years is a more pertinent option'.

He said mitigating circumstances would reduce that: 'I accept that you didn't go out that evening with the intent of causing trouble or violence, so it wasn't pre-meditated. When you used the knife, you intended serious bodily harm rather than to kill.

'You did suffer some provocation and at 27 you are still a relatively young man. I will take into account your guilty plea.'

McKeown's sentence includes the 177 days spent in custody.

Weapon had one purpose

POLICE say the brutal weapon used to murder Gavin McAleer has 'no useful or lawful purpose'.

Speaking after Gerard McKeown's guilty plea, the case's senior investigating officer Det Chief Insp John Burt, of Cheshire police's major investigation team, said: 'A brawl instigated by a drunken man outside a pub might have ended in nothing more than cuts and bruises except for the fact that Gerard McKeown, whose mood was one of alcohol-fuelled aggression that evening, had left home with a weapon which had no useful or lawful purpose other than to harm.

'He used it to fatal effect and claimed the life of a young man with so much to live for.

'Never have I seen a weapon of such menacing purpose used in such a way.'

Speaking outside the court after sentencing, Det Supt Jed Manley added: 'Gerard McKeown escalated a confrontation outside the Vaults in Middlewich by using a very unusual and very dangerous weapon he had brought to the scene with him. We have had expert opinion on that weapon and can confirm there is no lawful use for it.

In fact, one expert described it as a 'fantasy' weapon.

'I can only describe the nature of the attack that followed as savage.

'I commend the excellent work of the local officers on the scene and I am very satisfied with the outcome at court.'

Gavin McAleer was a single man, who lived with his family in Middlewich. Speaking at the time, relatives said they were devastated by his loss, 'especially by the senseless way he was taken from us'.

In a statement, they added: 'There is a void in our family that can never be filled. Gavin was a bright, loving, and often cheeky young man.

'He was an enthusiastic fisherman and enjoyed many other sports.

'He was a keen Manchester United fan. He was much loved by family and friends. In the words of his young nephew: 'he was the goodest uncle ever'.'

Det Supt Jed Manley added: 'Cheshire police would like to pay tribute to the McAleer family, who have acted in a very dignified fashion throughout the process.

'All the thoughts of the police and prosecution team go with them today.'

Are we doing enough to stop the carrying of deadly weapons? Telephone: 01606 42272 E-mail:midcheshire. news@cheshirenews.co.uk